Prior to what appears to be a thwarted terrorist attack, police say the suspect researched, showed interest in and promoted the Islamic State.
A male student at Pine View High School in southern Utah was arrested Tuesday after a homemade explosive device was discovered in a backpack at the high school and consistent building materials found at his home.
The suspect also admitted to tearing down the American flag and replacing it with the iconic Islamic State one at the high school in addition to spray painting “ISIS IS COMI” on the building that same morning.
According to KUTV2, police said that had the device detonated, it would have caused significant injury or death. Prior to what appears to be a thwarted terrorist attack, police say the suspect researched, showed interest in and promoted the Islamic State. More details have yet to be released.
Alert students, law enforcement and K-9 units are credited with thwarting the attack.
NEW: @sgcitypubsafety is charging the suspects “failed attempt to detonate a homemade explosive” inside Pine View High School yesterday with:
76-10-402: Manufacture, possession, sale, use or attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction prohibited.
📸 –> Jack Whalen pic.twitter.com/gJQ5Q8OZ74
— D.J. Bolerjack (@DJBolerjack) March 6, 2018
The suspect is currently being held in a juvenile detention center and is reportedly facing criminal mischief, graffiti, manufacture, possession, sale, and use or attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction. More charges may be pending.
There are reports the suspect was a member of the high school’s Jr. ROTC program which has not been officially confirmed.
